The Reactions of Adolescents, Parents and Clinicians to Participating in Qualitative Research Interviews Regarding Adolescents Bereaved by Suicide and Other Traumatic Death

Abstract

There are concerns that involving adolescents bereaved by suicide and other traumatic death in research may cause distress and harm. However, no study has investigated such bereaved adolescents’ research experiences. In addition, no study has looked at the experiences of parents and clinicians as participants in adolescent suicide and traumatic death bereavement research. This study aimed to explore the short-term impact of research participation experienced by adolescents, parents, and clinicians. A total of 61 participants (adolescents, n = 17; parents, n = 12; clinicians, n = 32) filled out a short survey within two weeks of having taken part in a qualitative interview study. Data were analyzed descriptively. Most participants had experienced no distress while participating and no negative effects of participating; rather, participation was experienced as helpful for them and they would highly recommend participating in a study like this to others. A few adolescents and parents reported some distress, related to anxiety about participation and the unpleasantness of grief memories. The study clearly indicates that bereaved adolescents, parents and clinicians can safely participate in research interviews regarding their experiences of grief and help after suicide, generally valuing the opportunity to share their experience. To prevent and mitigate potential distress, training of research staff and implementation of appropriate participant distress protocols are imperative. Future studies could include longitudinal follow-up of participants to assess any longer-term consequences.

Ethical Issues in Bereavement Research with Minors: A Scoping Review

“…A total of 40 articles were included in the review ( Table A2 ). Four studies were from Australia [ 14 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], eleven from the US [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], seven from Sweden [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ], four from Norway [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], four from Denmark [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ] four from the UK [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ], and one from Canada [ 64 ]. There were five studies of non-western origins: two from South Africa [ 65 , 66 ] one from China [ 67 ], one from Iran [ 68 ], and one from the Philippines [ 69 ].…”

“…There were five studies of non-western origins: two from South Africa [ 65 , 66 ] one from China [ 67 ], one from Iran [ 68 ], and one from the Philippines [ 69 ]. Four studies were published in the 2000s [ 41 , 42 , 52 , 53 ], 22 in the 2010s [ 31 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ], and 14 from the 2020s [ 14 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 50 , 51 , 56 , 59 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Most studies were qualitative in design; there were also five quantitative [ 42 , 43 , 46 , 50 , 67 ], and five mixed-methods studies [ <...…”

“…Overall, the age ranges of the young participants varied widely, with the youngest participants aged 4 years [ 64 ], and there were 10 studies that included participants over the age of 18 but categorized them in the child/youth groups [ 14 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 44 , 46 , 52 , 56 , 62 ]. Parents and other adult figures were commonly included in the studies as participants [ 14 , 31 , 33 , 37 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 59 , 60 , 63 ].…”

“…Gatekeepers, such as caretakers (e.g., parents, legal guardians), professionals (e.g., social workers, counsellors/therapists, medical staff), educational staff, and research ethics review boards, can also be reluctant to allow access to study participants due to the research topic [ 2 , 13 ]. However, for all the worries by these third parties, the bereaved themselves, both adults and minors, see the merits of bereavement research [ 10 , 14 ]. Overall, they reported that any distress that arose during participation was outweighed by the benefit of discussing their experiences, expressing their emotions, and having something positive come from their loss, i.e., being able to help others [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Existential loneliness and life suffering in being a suicide survivor: a reflective lifeworld research study

“…Several established researchers in this area have previously studied suicide survivor experiences, and each predominantly adopts a positive attitude towards the ethical implications of including such participants in studies (Andriessen et al, 2022 ; Dyregrov, 2004 ; Dyregrov et al, 2010 ; Hawton et al, 1998 ; Omerov et al, 2014 ; Runeson & Beskow, 1991 ). Andriessen et al ( 2022 ) conclude, in a study with 61 bereaved family members, that the participants experienced little distress and would recommend participation to others. Dyregrov et al ( 2010 ) found, in their study with 92 suicide survivors, four categories of motivations for individuals to participate in such research: “ Helping Others ”, “ Venting ”, “ Insight ”, and “ Just Because ”.…”